Guide · Updated 6 November 2026
Martyn's Law fines, penalties and enforcement
Short answer: the Security Industry Authority (SIA) regulates Martyn's Law. For Standard Tier venues, the maximum penalty is £10,000, plus up to £500 a day if a breach carries on. The SIA has said it will be support-first, so the aim is to get venues compliant rather than to fine them.
The penalties at a glance
- Standard Tier (200 to 799 people): up to £10,000, and daily penalties of up to £500 for continued non-compliance.
- Enhanced Tier and qualifying events (800 or more): up to £18 million or 5% of worldwide revenue, whichever is higher, and daily penalties of up to £50,000.
How enforcement is expected to work
The SIA has a graded set of tools. In practice a venue is likely to see:
- Advice and guidance first, especially in the early period.
- An information notice asking for details or documents.
- A compliance notice setting out what you must fix and by when.
- A penalty notice if you still don't comply.
Restriction notices, which can limit how premises operate, apply only to Enhanced Tier premises and qualifying events. There are also criminal offences for things like obstructing the regulator or giving false information.
How to stay out of trouble
- Notify the SIA on time, within three months of the law starting.
- Have written procedures for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication.
- Brief your staff and keep a record that you did.
- Review your procedures when something changes, such as a refit, a new beer garden or a change of use.
The record keeping matters. If the SIA asks, being able to show your procedures and a dated staff briefing log is the simplest way to show you have done what is reasonably practicable.
Want it done for you? Answer one 15-minute questionnaire and we write your Standard Tier procedures, Responsible Person record, staff briefing sheet and record log, delivered within 3 working days.
General information based on the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 and the Home Office and SIA guidance as at 6 November 2026. Not legal advice. Official sources: SIA: Understanding Martyn's Law and ProtectUK.
More guides: all Martyn's Law guides.